Flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity



JulyZ, 1935. H. E. LAKE 2,006,865

FLOW PROPORTIONING DEVICE FOR LIQUIDS OF VARIABLE VISCOSITY Filed March 9, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNIEY 4 Sheets-Sheet 2.

ATTORNEY H. E. LAKE July 2, 1935.

FLOW PROPORTIONING DEVICE FOR LIQUIDS OF VARIABLE VISCOSITY Filed March 9, 1933 y 2, 1935. H. E. LAKE 2,006,865

FLOW PROPORTIONING DEVICE FOR LIQUIDS OF VARIABLE VISCOSITY Filed March 9, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 fay-6.

July 2, 1935. LAKE 2,006,865

FLOW PROP ORTIONING DEVICE FOR LIQUIDS OF VARIABLE VISCOSITY Filed March 9, 1933 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 55.5 $97 JW 645 J45 549 6/4, 45%

2 59 J I r Patented July 2, 1935 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE FLOW PROPORTIONING DEVICE FOR- LIQUIDS F VARIABLE VISCOSITY Harry E. Lake, New York, N. Y., assignor to Preferred Utilities Company, Inc., New York, N. Y., a corporation of Delaware Application March 9, 1933, Scrlal No. 660,178 18 C1aims. '(Cl.137-166) My invention consists in the novel features burner. Such a system obviously requires the hereinafter described, reference being had to the hand adjustment of a by-pass valve which conaccompanying drawings which illustrate several trols the pressure on the burner supply line. forms in which I have contemplated embodying The object of my invention is to provide an.

5 myinvention, selected by me for purposes of adjustable flow proportioning device valve for oil illustration, and the said invention is fully disburners so constructed that the friction loss in the closed in the following description and claims. passage to the burner and the friction loss in the y In the operation of oil burners, it is obviously by-pass passage will maintain substantially the of; the first importance that the volume of oil same ratio at all times, notwithstanding varial0 supplied to the burner shall remain uniform at all Wins In h V s y of the and Which Will at times. In an effort to secure this uniformity, it the Sam ime p rm h p p to Operate at as is customary to employ a pump having a fixed low a pressure as possible. My invention also capacity greater than the volume which is to be contemplates a means for securing the adjustsupplied to the burner and to connect the pipe merit of the valve to vary the proportionate leading from the pump with a by-pass which will amounts of oil pumped which pass to the burner 15 return excess oil above the desired amount to be and through the by-pass respectively, so that the supplied to the burner, back to the reservoir valve may be adjusted tosupply the "desired 'volor tank. It is also customary 'to employ either ume of oil per hour to the burner, according to in the piping leading to or leading from the pump, the requirements of the particular installation, a preheater operated either by an electric heatand when once adjusted will continue automat- 20 ing coil, or by circulation of the heating medium ically to supply that predetermined volume of from the boiler, for raising the temperature of oil to the burner regardess of changes in visthe oil, whereby the portion of the oil deflected cosity or pressure in the supply system. through the by-pass and returned to the tank, A leading feature of my present invention rewill also raise the temperature of the body of oil sides in providing in communication with the pasin the supply tank or reservoir, and thus facilisage leading to the burner and the passage leadtate the flow of the oil to the burner. It has ing to the by-pass, a plurality of supply passages been found, however, extremely difficult to secure of identical cross sectional area, and friction loss, uniformity in the supply of oil to the burner, of relatively small cross sectional area, in comeven with such an arrangement, due to variations bination with adjustable means for placing one 30 in viscosity of the oil. As the viscosity c anges or more of these relatively small passages in op- .the friction loss in the passage to the burner and erative communication with the pump. By this h friction s n t -pa s p s ag wi l vary. means it will be observed 1 am able to secure a preand it has been found that, especially where the determined ratio between the friction loss in the oil passes through restricting means in either of passage to the burner and the friction loss in the 35 said passages having considerable cross sectional by-pass, which will be maintained substantially area, the friction loss in thetwo passages do not uniformly at all times and regardless of changes maintain the same ratio owing to the fact that in the viscosity of the oil, thus insuring the uniunder variations of pressure, greater or smaller formity in volume of oil supplied to the burner at 4 q an i i of il p thlflugh the Central D all times regardless of changes in viscosity or pres- 40 tions of such restricting apertures without conr with an increase of viscosity, for example, tacting with the confining surfaces. For exth re sure between the pump and the flow prompl i s not unusual to find that When a Y portioning device valve increases, but as all of the tem is op r n on hot l ten pounds pres-Sure oil which passes through the pipe to the burner,

will be suiiicient to supply a sufficient quantity d through the b a s to the tank, must pass 45 of Oil t the burner- After a Short h down through minute feed passages of exactly the same Period, With the consequent p iii Oil tempercross sectional area and friction loss but varyature, and corresponding increase in viscosity, it ing i b r nly, 110 ubsta tial change in the will requ re a high as eighty Pounds Pressure ratio between the friction loss to the burner and 5 deliver the same quantity of O l to the bu n s the friction loss to the by-pass will result, and as theretofore. As it is necessary and usual practhe capacity is substantially uniform, a uniform tice to provide a return line of sufficient size to volumetric supply to the burner is secured.

minimize friction loss, and prevent building up Referring to the accompanying drawings, which excessive back pressure therein, therefore at ten illustrate several forms of my invention selected 5 pounds pressure no oil would be delivered to the by me for purposes of illustration,

Fig. 1 shows diagrammatically an installation for supplying oil to a heating burner, having my improved flow proportioning device or valve incorporated therein.

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the valve mechanism on line 2-2 of Fig. 1, looking in the direction of the arrows in the latter figure.

Fig. 3 represents a vertical sectional view of my improved valve on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a vertical section on the line 44 of Fig. 2, looking in the direction of the arrows in Fig. 2.

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view of the pump shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4.

Fig. 6 is a partial horizontal sectional view of the valve mechanism, similar to Fig. 2, showing a modification.

Fig. 7 is an elevation of the inner end of one of the control devices shown in Fig. 6, drawn to an enlarged scale.

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a portion of the casing showing two units similar to those illustrated in Fig. 6, arranged for simultaneous ad- Justment.

Fig. 9 is a sectional view of Fig. 8, on line 9-9.

Fig. 10 is a view similar to Fig. 6, showing the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9, with an auxiliary control device communicating with a bypass and capable. of independent operation.

Fig. 11 is a vertical sectional view through said auxiliary control device shown in Fig. 10, taken on line IIII of that figure.

Referring to Fig. l, I represents a tank or reservoir for fuel oil, provided with the usual filling pipe, indicated at 2, and vent pipe, indicated at 3, communicating with the atmosphere through a suitable vent protector, indicated at 4. 5 represents the supply pipe having a portion, 5a, extending to near the bottom of the tank, where it may be provided with a suitable foot valve, 6. The pipe, 5, extends to my improved volumetric valve, indicated as a whole at V, and in this instance is provided with a preheater of the electrically operated type, indicated diagrammatically at I.

My improved flow proportioning valve preferably includes a casing 8, the interior of which is divided by means of a partition, 9, into a main or pumping chamber, I 8, and a separate auxiliary or valve chamber, II. I prefer to locate the pump within the main chamber, III, and I have shown in the present instance, a double unit pump of the well known intermeshing gear type, the two units being conveniently located side by side in order that the corresponding rotating parts of both units may be located on the same shaft. Thus, referring, for example, to Fig. 5, I2 represents the pump casing, provided with two pump chambers, separated by the partition, I3, and having in one chamber, the rotary parts I4, I5, and in the other chamber the rotary parts, I6, II, the rotary parts I4 and I6 being mounted on a single shaft, I8, and the rotary parts, I5, I1, being mounted on a rotary shaft, I9, which is also the driving shaft for both pump units. The shaft, I9, therefore, extends outside of the casing and may be driven by any suitable motor or other driving means. For convenience of reference I will term the pump unit P, constituted by the rotary parts, I4, I5 and their enclosing chamber, the other pumping unit being designated P. The casing for the pump unit, P, is connected with the oil supply pipe, 5, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, and said casing is provided on the opposite slde with a discharge pipe, 20, which extends toa point near the top of the casing, 8. where it discharges the oil into the main chamber, I 0,0f the casing. The casing, 8, is also provided with an overflow pipe, indicated at 2 I, which extends from a point near the top of the casing, as shown in Fig. 3, out through the side wall of the casing, where it is continued to and connected with the tank. The pump unit, P, when in operation, keeps the chamber, ID, of the casing 8, filled with oil up to the level of the top of the overflow pipe 2 I, the surplusage of oil being returned to the main tank, I, by the overflow pipe, 2I.

Beneath the pump unit, P, the casing, 8, is preferably provided with a depression forming a sump or well, indicated at 22, which is provided with a draw-off opening, 23, closed by a plug, 24. A suction pipe, 25, extends from this sump or well to one side of the pump unit, P, the other side of this pump unit being connected by a delivery pipe, 26, with the auxiliary chamber, I I, of the casing, 8. One advantage of this construction is that the oil which is actually delivered to the burner is supplied by the pump unit, P, and is drawn from the sump, 22, so that the lift of the pump is the same at all times and is not affected by the variations in the oil level in the main supply tank, I, from which the oil is drawn by the other pump unit, P, as previously described. The auxiliary oil chamber, II, is intended to be kept completely filled with oil at all times, and in case of too great pressure arising at any time within the chamber, II, I provide a relief valve, indicated at 21, controlling the relief aperture, 28, in the upper wall of the chamber, II, the relief valve being carried in a casing, 29, which extends over a return aperture, 30, communicating with the upper part of the chamber, II]. The relief valve is provided with a suitable spring, 3I, which can be adjusted in any usual or preferred manner, as by means of a threaded plug, 32, in a hollow stem forming part of the valve casing, 29, which hollow stem is closed on its upper end by a plug or cap screw, 33.

Within the chamber, II, of the casing, 8, I provide two separate devices for controlling the delivery of oil from chamber, I I, respectively to the burner and to the bypass. For convenience in assembling the parts, and also in keeping them in the best operable condition, these devices are made separate from the casing and inserted therein, and supported by screws or bolts in any desired way. The front wall of the chamber, I I, is therefore provided with two openings, indicated at 34-34a, to receive the delivery control devices which, as herein shown, are identical in construction, so that a description of one will sufiice for both. I will therefore describe the device which controls the supply to the burner, the corresponding parts controlling the supply to the by-pass being given the same reference characters with the addition of the letter a.

35 represents a casting provided with an attaching plate, 36, extending across the aperture, 34, enclosing the same, and having parts extending inwardly and outwardly from said closing plate. The casting, 35, is provided with an inwardly extending tubular portion, 31, having its bore, 48, internally threaded, as shown, and provided on one side of the bore with a laterally extending flange, 38. This flange is provided with a plurality of small inlet control apertures, indicated at 39, identical as to cross sectional area, and of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the oil passing through each of these apertures will come into frictional contact with the walls of the passages. As shown in the drawings, these passages are of a length greatly in excess of their diameters, which enables me to provide a substantial friction loss without unduly decreasing the diameters of said apertures. These apertures, 39, which as shown are formed in a thickened wall at one side of the casting, 35 communicate with the interior of he bore, 40, and are preferably spaced at uniform distances longitudinally on said bore. The casting, 35, is also provided with a downwardly extending passage, 4|, which communicates with a passage leading to the burner. In this instance, and for convenience of assembly, I have conveniently provided a downwardly extending oil passage, 42, cored within a thickened portion of the wall of the casing, 8, and having its lower end threaded at 43, to receive a pipe, 44, which is extended to the burner, as indicated in Fig. l. I have not shown the burner itself, as it has no bearing on my present invention. Within the internally threaded bore, 40, I provide a threaded adjustable plug, 45, in this instance secured to a stem, 46, which extends through a stuffing box, indicated at 41, provided on the casting, 35, the outer end of the stem, 46, being provided with a square or other polygonal portion, 48, and surrounded by the usual protecting wall, 49, to prevent the stem, 46, from being rotated except by a proper key.

It will be observed that by rotating the stem, 46, the plug, 45, may be adjusted longitudinally of the bore, 40, so as to not only close the portion of the bore communicating directly with the chamber, II, but placing one or more of the control inlet apertures, 39, in communication with the portion of the bore between the plug, 45, and the discharge passage, 4|, of the casting, 35. It will be understood that the plug, 45, may be adjusted longitudinally within the bore, 40, in any desired way, as for example, by having it engage the bore, 40, terengaging threaded portions on the stem, 46, and the portion of the casting, 35, through which it passes, but I find that the arrangement shown in the drawings wherein the interior of the bore, 40, is threaded, and the exterior of the plug, 45, is correspondingly threaded, is very advantageous as it gives a sufficiently tight engagement between the plug and the bore, and at the same time permits the plug to be readily adjusted longitudinally of the bore.

It will be understood that the aperture, 34a, is fitted with an exactly similar control device to that heretofore described, the corresponding parts being given the same reference characters with the addition of the letter a. The casting, 35a, has its downwardly extending passage, 4|a, communicating with an aperture, 42a, which connects said passage directly with the interior of the chamber, I0. In other words, the passage, 4la, constitutes the by-pass, which effects the return of surplus oil pumped but not needed for the burner. It will also be seen that by adjusting the position of the plug, 45a, in the bore, 40a, of the cylindrical portion, 31a, forming part of the casting, 35a, one or more of the inlet control apertures, 39a, can be placed in communication with the portion of the bore, 40a, between the plug, 45a, and the by-pass, 4|a.

While I have herein illustrated as the preferred form of my invention the provision of the control units with a plurality of control apertures having substantially identically the same cross sectional area and friction loss, I wish it to be understood that the apparatus will be entirely operative if the control apertures, 39 or 39a, of

with a sliding fit, and providing inbeing pumped to the chamber,

one of the control units are of diflerent cross sectional area from those of the other unit, and also where the control apertures, 39 or 39a, of each unit may vary slightly in cross sectional area from each other, provided that in all cases the control apertures, 39 and 39a, diameter and of such length so that a definite friction loss is obtained by the passage of oil through them by the pressure at which the pump is operated. Under ordinary circumstances all of the control apertures, 39 or 39a, of a particularunit will naturally be of the same cross sectional area, asthey will ordinarily be drilled, but where a considerably larger proportion of the oil is to be discharged through the by-pass and returned to the tank, it may be desirable to have the apertures, 39a of slightly larger cross sectional area or of less length than the apertures, 39,'or vice versa, if a larger proportion of the oil is to be pumped to the burner.

The operation of my improved fiow proportioning valve will be as follows, and for purposes of illustration I may assume that the capacity of each of the pump units is fifty gallons an hour; and that it is desired to deliver to the burner twenty gallons an hour, in which case of course the balance, or thirty gallons an hour would be returned through the by-pass to the tank or reservoir. The pumps being started and the chambers, l0 and H, of the casing, 8, being filled with oil, the plugs, 45 and 45a, may be adjusted to place a certain number of the apertures, 39 and 39a, in communication with their respective passages and restricting the outflow from the chamber If, so that the pressure in the chamber, II, will be that desired. The pressure may be indicated by a suitable gauge connected with the chamber, H, in any usual or desired manner. The desired pressure having been established, the plug, 45, is adjusted longitudinally of the bore, 46, to supply the desired volume of oil to the burner. If the plug, 45, is moved to the right in Fig. 2, to open communication with chamber, H, through additional passages, 39, in order to obtain the desired volume of oil, the pressure in chamber, II, will fall. As soon as the desired volume of oil is obtained, the plug, 45a, is adjusted to the left in Fig. 2, to cut ofi one or more of the apertures, 39a, from communication with the by-pass until the pressure is again raised to the desired point, when the apparatus is in its properly adjusted position. Obviously, if too much oilwas being fed to the burner at the initial adjustment, the plug, 45, would be moved to the left, to cut off one or more of the apertures, 39, from the discharge passage, 4|, and in such case the pressure would rise and it would be necessary to adjust the plug, 45; to the right in Fig. 2, to open one or more passages, 39a, to the by-pass, until the desired pressure was obtained. In this manner the initial adjustment for any particular installation can be readily obtained. and if at any time a change in this adjustment is necessary or desirable, it can be readily made in the same manner by operating the stems, 46 and 46a, without disturbing any other part of the apparatus.

The adjustment having been made, it will be seen that the oil discharged through the apertures, 39, from chamber, 5 I, to the burner, would be in the predetermined ratio, as twenty to thirty, with respect to the oil passing through the apertures 39a, to the by-pass. It will also be seen that the oil entering the chamber, I0, and II, is preheated are sufficiently small in by the preheater, 1, and that the oil discharged through the by-pass, Ma, and returned to the 01181111381210, will be discharged through the overflow pipe, 2|, and returned to the tank I, thereby increasing the temperature of the oil in the tank or reservoir, I, and facilitating the pumping therefrom.

As all the oil discharged into the passage leading to the burner and all the oil discharged into the by-pass, from the closed chamber, I I, must pass through the control passages, 39 and 39a, subject to the fixed friction losses thereof at the predetermined pressure, it necessarily follows that in case of variation in the viscosity and consequent change in pressure, not only will the same quantity be passed through the apertures, 39 and 39a, to the burner and by-pass respectively, but the friction losses on the control passages communicating with the burner, and those communicating with the by-pass, will maintain substantially the same ratio. It follows, therefore, that the same volumetric amount of oil will be delivered continuously to the burner regardless of changes in viscosity and pumping pressure.

It will be seen that my improved flow proportioning valve can be adjusted to supply any desired proportion of the pump capacity to the burner, the balance being returned through the by-pass back to the pump or to the tank, thus permitting the adjustment of the device to accommodate different installations. In some instances it may be found that a smaller percentage of the oil will be sufficient to the burner, in which case a proportionately larger amount would be returned through the by-pass, but in every case after the desired adjustment of the device is obtained, the friction losses in the control passages, 39, to the burner, and the friction losses in the control passages, 39a, to the bypass will maintain substantially the same ratio, and a uniform volume of oil per hour will be delivered to the burner.

The castings, 35 and 35a, are detachably supported by the screws or bolts connecting their attaching plates, 36 and 36a, with the wall of the chamber, II, said screws being indicated at 50, 50a, so that by loosening these screws the respective control mechanisms can be removed for cleaning or other purposes desired. It will also be understood that should the pressure of the oil in chamber, II, become too great, due to the stoppage of some or any considerable number of the control passages, 39, 390, the relief valve, 21, will be lifted and permit the oil to pass through the casing, 29, and aperture, 30, back into the chamber, III, thus preventing injury to the apparatus. Such a condition would probably result in a reduction of the amount of oil delivered from the chamber, II, both to the bypass and the burner, and would be noticed by the operator, so that the control devices could be removed and cleaned and replaced.

It is to be understood that while the pump units, P and P, are herein shown as being of equal capacity and jointly operated from the same operating shaft, which is a very convenient arrangement, it is not an essential one. As a. matter of fact, the pump units, P and P, may obviously be independently operated and they may have different capacities which, under independent operation, can be varied as desired. It is only necessary that the pump unit, P, which withdraws the oil from the tank, shall pump at least as much as, or preferably slightly more oil than the amount which is supplied to the burner by my improved volumetric valve mechanism. To illustrate by way of example, it might be desirable to pump more oil through the preheater and by-pass it back to the tank for the purpose of keeping the tank warm when the tank is located in exposed positions, or where the oil is unusually thick and viscous. In such case, the pump unit, P, may have a considerably larger capacity than the pump unit, P.

In Figs; 6 and 7, in which the parts corresponding with those previously described, are given the same reference characters with the addition of 100, I have illustrated a slightly modified form of the control devices forming part of my volumetric valve mechanism. In this instance, each of the castings, I35 and I35a, is provided respectively, with a cylindrical body, I31 and I31a, the inner end of which is closed by a transverse end wall portion, I38, I38a, of considerable thickness, one half of which is provided with a plurality of inlet control apertures, I39 and I 39a, extending longitudinally of the cylindrical part the thickness of said transverse portions, I38, I 38a, providing the necessary length of said inlet control passages to produce the desired friction loss thereof. A rotary stem, I46, and I4Ba, extends through each of these castings passing through a stuffing box, I41, I41a, at the outer end and projects into the interior of the chamber, III, of the casing, I08, where it is provided with a rotary cut-off plate, I45, I45a, mounted on a polygonal portion of the stem and engaging the inner end of the cylindrical part, against which it is held by a suitable spring, I46b, I46b. These rotary cut-off plates are preferably of semi-circular or other segmental shape, and the control apertures, I39, I39a, are so arranged with respect to the adjacent radial edges of the cut-off plates, that when the plates are rotated, the control apertures are closed or opened one at a time, or in a certain predetermined order. I prefer to locate the plates, I45, I45a of the two control devices on opposite sides of their respective operating stems, as shown in Fig. 6, so that by turning the stems of both of the control devices in the same direction, the number of control apertures of the one, which are in operative communication with the chamber, III, will be increased, while the number of said apertures of the other control device which are in operative communication with the chamber, III, will be decreased. The outer end of the stems are shown provided with portions, I 48, H811, to be engaged by a key or wrench, which portions are surrounded by the usual protecting walls, I49, I49a. The casting, I35, has the interior of the cylindrical portion communicating with the passage, I4I, leading to the passage, I42, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6, which is in communication with the pipe leading to the burner, while the corresponding passage, I4I a, of the casting, I35a, is a by-pass passage communicating with the interior of the tank by an aperture, I42a, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 6.

The operation of this form of my invention is exactly the same as that previously described, except that the closing or opening of the control apertures, I39, and I39a, respectively, is effected by a rotary motion of the valve stems, and the consequent partial rotation of the cut-off plates, I45, I45a, as will be readily understood. The castings, I35 and I35a, are detachably connected to the wall of the casing, I08, and either of these control devices may be removed for cleaning when necessary.

In Figs. 8 and 9, I have illustrated a further modification of my invention in which the control devices are constructed exactly as described, with reference to Figs. 6 and '7, except that in Figs. 8 and 9 the outer ends of the valve stems, I46 and 6a, are respectively provided with gears, I60, IEIJa, rigidly secured thereto and adapted to intermesh with a master gear, ISI, which in this instance is detachably mounted on a stud, I62, on a block, I63, secured to the front wall of the casing, I08, and preferably provided with means for looking it in an adjusted position. In this instance I have shown the master gear provided with a plurality of segmental slots, indicated at I64, any one of which may be engaged with a clamping screw, I65, extending therethrough and into a threaded aperture-in the block, I63. The master gear may also be provided, if desired, with' any usual or preferred means for rotating it, and for this purpose I have shown it provided with apertures, I66, to be engaged by a spanner in well known way.

With the arrangement shown in Figs. 8 and 9, it is to be understood ment of the valve mechanism to regulate it in any installation with which it is used, the master gear is disconnected from the gears, IGII, IGOa, which can, in this instance, be readily accomplished by removing the screws, I62, I65. The pumps are then started and the individual control devices for the burner supply pipe, I42, and the by-pass, 2a, are adjusted by rotating the gears, I60, IGIIa, by hand, so as to close off the desired number of control apertures, I39, I39a, respectively, to establish the desired ratio of friction loss through the two control devices in the manner previously described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5. After this ratio has been established by an original adjustment, the master gear .is replaced in engagement with the gears, IGII,

"53a, and locked in position by means'of the clamping screw, IE5, or other suitable'means. If now it becomes desirable at any time to increase or decrease the amount of oil to be fed to the burner, it will only be necessary to loosen the clamping screw, I65, or otherwise free the master gear from its locking means and to partially rotate the master gear in one direction or the other. It will be seen that by partially rotating the master gear in either direction, the cut-c'fif plates, I45 and I45a, will be partially rotated in the same direction, and as these cut-off plates are oppositely located on their respective stems, the result will be to increase the number of control apertures of one control device in communication With chamber I I I, and decrease the number of control apertures on the other control de-.

vice in communication with the chamber I I I, and vice versa, according to the direction of rotation of the master gear- By this means the simultaneous adjustment of the two control devices is secured without any change in pressure, and the relative amount of oil pumped to the burner may be varied from time to time. Obviously as the amount of oil fed to this adjustment, the amount of oil returned through the by-pass will be decreased and vice versa.

In some cases where an oil'burner is used in connection with a. boiler, there may be periods of the day or night when a lower fuel consumption may be desirable for a greater or less period of time. In Figs. 10 and 11, -I have shown another to the burner through that in the original adjustthe burner is increased by slight modification of my invention in which parts correspondingto those illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 are indicated by the same reference numerals with the addition of 200 for the accomplishment of this additional result, without varying the ratio of friction loss respectively on the oil pumped to the burner and. on the oil by-passed. This is conveniently accomplished by providing an auxiliary control device, which may be either of the kind shown in Figs. 6 to 9, or in Figs. 2 to 4, for establishing an additional communication between the chamber, III, of the volumetric valve mechanism, and a by-pass passage through one or more control apertures similar to those previously described, so that a desired number of these additional control apertures may be opened when it is desired to reduce the supply of oil to the burner, thereby increasing the amount of oil returned to the tank, and lessening the amount delivered to the burner, while preserving a fixed ratio between the friction losses on the oil pumped to the burner and that returned to the tank, and preventing variation in the quantity of oil fed changes in viscosity of the oil.

In Fig. 10, for example, I have shown the chamber, 2| I, of the casing, 208, provided with the control devices, 231, 231a, constructed exactly as illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7, and having their stems, 246, NIia, connected for joint operation with the master gear, 26I, in the manner illustrated in Figs. 8 and 9. As these parts are exactly as previously described, it is unnecessary to repeat the description thereof. In this figure, I have shown the wall of the casing provided with a third aperture to receive a third control device, 331, which is constructed in all respects identical with the control devices, 231 and 231a, and the parts thereof have therefore been given the same reference characters with the addition of 100. The interior of the auxiliary control devices, 331, is connected with a passage, 34I, see Fig.- 11, which communicates with the interior of the chamber, am, by means of an aperture, 342.

Assuming that the cut-off plate, 343, of the auxiliary control device is in the position indicated by dotted lines in Fig. so as to close allof the control apertures, 339, thereof, and render the auxiliary control trol devices, 231 and 2310., will be adjusted to supply the burner with the desired amount of oil at the desired pressure through the passages,

2M and 242, exactly as hereinbefore described with reference to Figs. 6 to 9 inclusive.

If it is desired to decrease the supply of oil to the burner for a period, as during a mid-day shut down, or during portions of the night, the operator can, by the use of a key or otherwise, rotate the stem, 386, of the auxiliary control device so as to place a suflicient number of the auxiliary control apertures, 333, in operative communication between the auxiliary by-pass, 3M, and the interior of the chamber, 2H1, to provide the reduced quantity of fuel while maintaining a willcient pressure to insure a friction loss on all of the apertures, 239, 333. The device will thereupon operate in the same manner as previously described except that a smaller quantity of oil will be supplied to the burner, but after the control device, 331, is adjusted the ratio between the friction loss on the oil supplied to the burner and the oil returned through the by-pass passages, 24I, 3, will remain constant, notwithstanding changes in the viscosity of the oil and the accompanying variations in pressure. When device inoperative, the conit is desired to restore the device to the original adjustment, it is only necessary to rotate the stem, 346, of the auxiliary control device so as to cause the cut-oiT plate, 345, to close the auxiliary control apertures, 339. This arrangement enables the operator at any time to reduce the amount of oil furnished to the burner during any desired period under the same conditions without interfering with the adjustment of the main control devices, 231 and 231a.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising apressure chamber, a pair of castings detachably secured in position with respect to said chamber and each provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and forming part of an outlet passage, each of said cylindrical portions being provided with a series of longitudinally disposed control passages terminating at an inner transversely disposedface, said passages being of sufliciently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, a rotary cut-ofi plate for each of said castings for varying the number of said control passages in operative communication therewith, and a rotary stem in each of said castings operatively connected with the cut-off plate thereof and ex tending to the exterior of the pressure chamber.

2. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising a pressure chamber, a pair of castings detachably secured in position with respect to said chamber and each provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and forming part of an outlet passage, each of said cylindrical portions being provided with a series of longitudinally disposed control passages terminating at an inner transversely disposed face, said passages being of suificiently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, a rotary cut-ofi plate for each of said castings for varying the number of said control passages in operative communication therewith, and a rotary stem in each of said castings operatively connected with the cut-off plate thereof and extending to the exterior of the pressure chamber, and means for simultaneously operating said cut-off plates to decrease the operative number of control passages in one of said castings and correspondingly increase the operative number of such passages in the other of said castings.

3. A fiow proportioning .device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising a pressure chamber, a pair of castings detachably secured in position with respect to said chamber and each provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and forming part of an outlet passage, each of said cylindrical portions being provided with a series of longitudinally disposed control passages terminating at an inner transversely disposed face, said pas sages being of sufiiciently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, a rotary cut-01f plate for each of said castings for varying the number of said control passages in operative communication therewith, and a rotary stem in each of said castings operatively connected with the cut-off plate thereof and extending to the exterior of the pressure chamber, a gear at each of said stems, a rotatable master gear meshing with said gears for effecting the simultaneous rotation of said stems in the same direction, said cut-01f plates being attached to their operating stems in relatively reverse positions, and means for securing said master gear in adjusted position.

4. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising a pressure chamber, a pair of castings detachably secured in position with respect to said chamber and each provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and forming part of an outlet passage, each of said cylindrical portions being provided with a series of longitudinally disposed control passages terminating at an inner transversely disposed face, said passages being of sufiiciently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, a rotary cut-off plate for each of said castings for varying the number of said control passages in operative communication therewith, and a rotary stem in each of said castings operatively connected with the cut-off plate thereof and extending to the exterior of the pressure chamber, a gear at each of said stems, a rotatable master gear meshing with said gears for efiecting the simultaneous rotation of said stems in the same direction, said cut-off plates being attached to their operating stems in relatively reverse position, and means for securing said master gear in adjusted position, and means for disconnecting said master gear from said first mentioned gears to permit independent adjustment of said cutoiT plates.

5. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising among its members, a closed pressure chamber, an outlet passage, a separate outlet passage, each of said passages being provided with a plurality of separate control passages communicating with the interior of the pressure chamber and of sufficient-ly small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, independently adjustable means for regulating the number of said control passages in communication with each of said outlet passages, and a single operative means for operating said independently operable means simultaneously when desired to simultaneously reduce the operative number of control passages in communication with one of said outlet passages and increase the number of said control passages in operative communication with the other of said outlet passages.

6. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising among its members, a closed pressure chamber, an outlet passage, a separate outlet passage, each of said passages being provided with a plurality of separate control passages communicating with the interior of the pressure chamber and of sufficient small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, independently adjustable means for regulating the number of said control passages in communication with each of said outlet passages, an auxiliary outlet passage provided with auxiliary control passages communicating with the interior of the pressure chamber, and independent means for regulating the number of said auxiliary control passages in operative com munication with the auxiliary outlet passage without disturbing the adjustment of said independently adjustable regulating means.

7. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising among its members, a closed pressure chamber, an outlet passage, a separate outlet passage, each of said passages being provided with a plurality of separate control passages communicating with the interior of the connected by-pass the pressure chamber and of sufficiently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, independently adjustable means for regulating the number of said control passages in communication with each of said outlet passages, means for simultaneously operating said independently adjustable means to increase the number of said control passages in operative communication with one of said outlet passages and simultaneously decreasing the number of said control passages in operative communication with the other of said outlet passages, and an auxiliary outlet passage provided with auxiliary control passages communicating with the interior of the pressure chamber, and independent means for regulating the number of said auxiliary control passages in operative communication with the auxiliary outlet passage without disturbing the adjustment of said independently adjustable regulating means.

8. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity comprising a pressure chamber, a pair of castings detachably secured in position with respect to said chamber and each provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and forming part of an outlet passage, each of said cylindrical portions being provided with a series of longitudinally disposed control passages terminating at an inner transversely disposed face, said passages being of sufficiently small cross sectional area to create a friction loss at each thereof, a rotary cut-off plate for each of said castings for varying the number of said control passages in operative communication therewith, and a rotary stem in each of said castings cperatively connected with the cutoff plate thereof and extending to the exterior of the pressure chamber, a gear at each of said stems, a rotatable master gear meshing with said gears for effecting the simultaneous rotation of said stems in the same direction, said cut-off plates being attached to their operating stems in relatively reverse positions, and means for securing said master gear in adjusted position, and an auxiliary casting provided with a hollow cylindrical portion extending into said chamber and having a series of longitudinally disposed auxiliary control passages communicating with the interior of the pressure chamber, and an auxiliary cut-off plate for regulating the number of said auxiliary control passages in operative communication with passage, and means for operating said auxiliary cut-off plate without disturbing the adjustment of the first mentioned cut-off plates. V

9. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages being connected with said chamber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage.

10. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passasges being connected with said chamber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage, and means for varying the relative numbers of restricting passages supplying said respective delivery passages to determine the automatically maintained constant volume delivered through said main delivery passage.

11. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages being connected with said chamber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage, independent adjusting means for varying the number of said restricting passages, and means for simultaneously operating said independent adjusting means to decrease the number of restricting passages supplying o'ne of said delivery.

the number of restrictpassages and increasing ing passages supplying the other of said delivery passages.

12. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages being connected with said chamber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross stantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the less than sectional area that subliquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage, a safety relief passage for said chamber, and a yieldable relief valve in said relief passage for relieving the chamber in case of excessive pressure of the liquid therein.

13. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages being connected with said cham ber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material frictional loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage, said chamber being provided with a second auxiliary outlet passage, and means for opening and closing and varying the capacity thereof, to vary the volume discharge through the main delivery passage when desired.

14. A flow proportioning device for liquid of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said pas-' sages being connected with said chamber by a predetermined number of separate restricting passages, said restricting passages being of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage, and means for varying the relative numbers of restricting passages supplying said respective delivery passages to determine the automatically maintained constant volume delivered through said main delivery passage, said chamber being provided with a second auxiliary outlet passage, connected therewith by a plurality of similar restricting passages providing a material friction loss for each, and adjustable means for varying the number of said restricting passages in operative communication between the said chamber and said second auxiliary outlet to vary the quantity of liquid delivered from the main delivery passage when desired.

15. A fiow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages being provided with a wall provided with metallic portions extending a much greater distance from the interior of the passage than other portions of the walls thereof, and surrounding a predetermined number of separate restricting passages of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof and of such length as to provide a material friction loss for each restricting passage, said restricting passages connecting said passage with the interior of said chamber, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage.

16. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages having a thickened wall portion and separate restricting passages extending therethrough, of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, said thickened wall providing such length to said restricting passages as to provide a material friction loss for each, said restricting passages communicating with said chamber, and independent adjustable means for determining the number of said restricting passages in operative relation with said main delivery passage, and auxiliary outlet passage, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage as determined by the adjustment of said adjustable means.

17. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages having a thickened wall portion and separate restricting passages extending therethrough of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing therethrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, said thickened wall providing such length to said restricting passages as to provide a material friction loss for each, said restricting passages communicating with said chamber, theportions of 'said main delivery passage and auxiliary outlet passage contiguous to said restricting passages being provided each with an imperforate plug closing the same and movable longitudinally therein to place one or more of said restricting passages in communication therewith, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage as determined by the relative positions of said plugs.

18. A flow proportioning device for liquids of variable viscosity, comprising among its members a closed chamber, provided with means for connecting it to a constant volume pump, said chamber having a main delivery passage for delivering continuously a constant volume of liquid less than the capacity of the pump, and an auxiliary outlet passage for delivering excess liquid delivered to said chamber by the pump, each of said passages having a thickened wall portion and separate restricting passages extending therethrough of such small cross sectional area that substantially all of the liquid passing themthrough will come into frictional contact with the walls thereof, said thickened wall providing such length to said restricting passages as to provide a material friction loss for each, said restricting passages communicating with said chamber, the portions of said main delivery passage and auxiliary outlet passage contiguous to said restricting passages being provided with with an imperforate plug closing the same and movable longitudinally therein to place one or more of said restricting passages in communication therewith, whereby variations in the viscosity of the liquid will vary the pressure within the chamber and thus automatically maintain constant the volume of liquid delivered through said main delivery passage as determined by the relative positions of said plugs, said chamber be ing provided with a safety relief passage independent of the auxiliary outlet passage, and a yieldable relief valve for controlling said relief passage.

HARRY E. LAKE. 

